Rectifying system.



F. W. MEYER.

RECTIFYING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION HLED MAR. 24, I9l5.

Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

. INVENTOR Fr/edr/ch W/l/eye/ ATTORNEY UnirrEn STATES PA FRIEDRICH W.MEYER, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T WESTINGHOUSE NT OFFICE.

ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

RECTIFYING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

Application filed March 24, 1915. Serial No. 16,678.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Fnmnnron W. MEYER, asubject of the Emperor ofGermany, and a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny andState of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement inRectifyin Systems, of which the following is a speci' cation.

My invention relates to the art of current rectification by means ofvapor arcs, and

tion of my invention.

In Patent No. 1,253,267, issued tothe Westinghouse Electric &Manufacturing Company onJan. 15, 1918, on an application filed bymyself, I have described and claimed a system wherein current from aplurality of distinct circuits is r :tified si- "multaneously within asingle rectifier. The

system therein disclosed operates satisfactorily in allv cases where theonly connection between the different circuits is at the common cathode,but, when there is a diffrence of potential between two or more vaporarcs, as, for example, when two rectifying arcs are operating in serieswith each other to supply a single load, there is a tendency forcoalescence between the two arcs, with consequent elimination of aportion of the circuit. In accordance with my present invention, Ieffectively prevent this harmful action by restricting communicationbetween the different are spaces to only such an amount as is requiredfor pressure equalization, and I rovlde means for producing a magneticlowout flux in the restricted communicating space, whereby, if eitherare tends to trespass upon the space of the other, it is immediatelyforced back or extinguished by magnetic action.

Referring to the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a closedcontainer 4: is provided with suitable anodes 5-5 and 6-6 and withcathodes 7 and 8 associated respectively therewith. The container 4 ispreferably constructed of a non-magnetic mercury-resisting metal, such,for example, as nickel iron alloy, for a purpose to be hereinafterpointed out. 'The cathodes 7- and 8 are insulated from the container 4by suitable insulating cups 9 and 10. Current derived from a supplysystem 11 is rectified through the joint action of the anodes 5-5 andthe cathode 6 and is supplied to any suitable load 14. In like manner,current derived from a system 13 is rectified by the joint action of theanodes 66 and the cathode 8 and supplied to a con-' ductor 12 in serieswith the first named rectifying system. In order to effectively separatethese two rectifying arcs, the interior of the container 4: is dividedinto two chambers 15 and 16 separated by a com osite perforatedpartition comprising refractory members 17 and 18 of non-magneticmaterial, such, for example, as porcelain, and members 19 and 20 ofmagnetic material. The various members of the above mentioned partitionare fitted together to form a central opening 21 connecting the spaces15 and 16, allowing pressure equalization therebetween and readyevacuation of the container by a single pump. An electromagnet 22,energized from a suitable source 23, embraces the container 4 andpresents its pole faces opposite the outer edges of the magnetic members19 and 20, thus maintaining astrong magnetic flux across the opening 21.

In the operation of my device, rectifying arcs may be started andmaintained in'both chambers 15 and 16 by any suitable means and willoperate to rectify current from the two systems 11 and 13. When eitherare attempts to strike over into the chamber occupied by the other are,because of the difference of potential therebetween, it will be divertedor'extinguished by the action of the magnetic flux in the space 21 andcoalescence of the arcs, with consequent disturbance and undesiredcurrent interchange between the two systems, will be effectivelyprevented.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 3, two vapor rectifiers 24 and25 of the usual type are connected by a tube 26 so that they will bemaintained at like pressures and may be evacuated simultaneously. Anelectromagnet 27 embraces the and I desire, therefore, that nolimitations shall be placed thereupon except such as are imposed by theprior art or are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

.1.'In a vapor rectifier, the combination with a plurality of rectifyingarcs, of dynamic means for preventing said arcs from coalescing, saidmeans permitting the free passage of gases; from one arc space to theother. I p

2. In a vapor rectifier, the combination with a' plnrallty of rectifyingarcs, of magnetic means for preventing said arcs from coalescing.

3. In a vapor rectifier, an anode and a cathode assoclatedtherewith,another anode and an additional cathode associatel therewith, anddynamic means for preventing arcs between each pair of electrodes fromcoalescing.

4. In a vapor rectifier, an anode and a cathode associated therewith,another anode and an additional cathode associated therewith, andmagnetic means for preventing arcs between each pair ofelectrodes fromcoalescing. i 5. The combination with an evacuated container, of aperforated partition dividing the interior thereof into two chambers,and means for maintaining a distinct rectifying arc in each of saidchambers.

6. The combination with an evacuated container, of a perforatedpartition dividing the interior thereof into two chambers, means formaintaining a distinct rectifying arc in each of said chambers, andmeans for preventing each of said arcs .from striking over into theother chamber.

7. The combination with an evacuated container, of a perforatedpartition dividing the interior thereof into two chambers, means formaintaining a distinct rectifying arc in each of said chambers, andmeans for extinguishing either of said arcs if it attempts to strikethrough the perforation in said partition.

p 8 he combination with an evacuated container, of a erforated partitiondividing the interior t ereof into two chambers, means for maintaining adistinct rectifying arc in each of said chambers, and magnetic means forextinguishing either of said arcs 10. The combination with an evacuatedcontainer, of a erforated partition dividing the interior t 'ereof intotwo chambers,

means for maintaining a distinct rectifying arc in each of saidcontainers, and means for providing a magnetic blowout adjacent theperforation in said artition.

' 11. The combiriatwn with an evacuated container, of a' erforatedpartition dividing theinterior t ereof into two chambers, means formaintaining a distinct rectifying arc in each of said chambers, and amagnet external to the container and embracing the perforated ortion ofsaid partition between its poles, w ereby a magnetic blowout field ismaintained in said perforation.

12. The combination with an evacuated container, of a plurality ofanodes therein and insulatedtherefrom, a air of cathodes therein andalso insulated t erefrom, means for maintaining a rectifying are betweena portion of said anodes and one of said cathodes, means for maintainingan additainer and means for maintaining two distinct rectifying arcstherein, the respective cathodes being at different potentials.

15. In a rectifying system, a closed container, and means formaintaining two distinct rectifying arcs therein, the respectivecathodes being at difi'erent potentials and included in a commoncircuit;

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 12th dayof March,

1915. DR. FRIEDRICH W. MER.

Witnesses: D. G. DAVIS, B. B. Hume.

